FILM · 1997 · JAPAN
Perfect Blue
12 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
12 Interesting Facts About Perfect Blue
Interesting Facts (10)
- #001
Perfect Blue was initially conceived as a live-action film, but it became an anime after several backers abruptly withdrew from pre-production.
- #002
The choreography of Mima's group CHAM is not in sync. This is intentional, to preserve the film's realism.
- #003
(Around 47 minutes) The famous bathroom scene in Requiem for a Dream (2000) was directly inspired by the bathroom scene in this film.
- #004
Satoshi Kon was allowed to deviate from the original story, "Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis." As long as the story featured an idol singer and a stalker, he could do anything else he wanted.
- #005
As Mima's mental state deteriorates, her apartment becomes increasingly cluttered and cramped.
- #006
The title 'Perfect Blue' has two meanings, and many aspects of the story point to this. For example, in the final scene, when Mima leaves the hospital after seeing Rumi, the only frame with a clear sky appears, signifying that the chaos in Mima's life has ended.
- #007
American pop legend Madonna used an extensive selection from this film as background animation during a dance interlude on her Drowned World Tour (2001). These segments can be seen in the tour's concert film Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001 (2001).
- #008
(Around 56 minutes) The "Big Body" pizza box in the notorious stabbing scene usually gets a few chuckles from English-speaking viewers, who undoubtedly think of the food's fat content. However, "Big Body" actually refers to Susumu Hirasawa (who would later compose music for director Kon's Millennium Actress (2001) and Paranoia Agent (2004)) and his electronic group "P-Model." Big Body is the name of their tenth album, released in 1993.
- #009
The film was first released in Japan in early 1998. A year later it was released internationally.
- #010
The film premiered in 1997 at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal, Canada.
Production Story (1)
- #011
(Around 20 minutes) The browser used when Mima is taught how to use the internet is Netscape Navigator. During the film's production, Netscape was the most popular internet browser on the planet, but its popularity steadily declined in later years and its development ended in 2008.
Characters & Cast (1)
- #012
There are many parallels between this film and the American film Black Swan (2010), starring Natalie Portman. For example: * The main character in this film is named Mima. In Black Swan, the main character is named Nina. Both names resemble each other. * Mima sings in a girl pop group, Cham! While wearing a tutu in the hope of becoming bigger. Nina does ballet in the hope of growing. * Before the traumatic events occur, both Mima and Nina are already shown to be emotionally fragile characters. * Mima and Nina both undergo a traumatic experience. * Both characters' psyches are changed by these experiences. * Both films contain significant amounts of blood, sex and violence. * A threat is sent to the main character. For Mima it is a fax, for Nina it is in the women's restroom mirror. * Both film titles contain a color.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- IMDb
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